The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a validated 9-item screening instrument for depression severity, used by clinicians worldwide in primary care and mental health settings. Each question is scored 0–3 based on symptom frequency over the past two weeks, producing a total score of 0–27. This free tool calculates your PHQ-9 score instantly and maps it to a clinically recognized severity level.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911.
PHQ-9 Questionnaire
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
1 Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2 Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3 Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4 Feeling tired or having little energy
5 Poor appetite or overeating
6 Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7 Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8 Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite — being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
9 Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
If you answer anything other than "Not at all," we strongly encourage you to seek support.
You are not alone — support is available right now
You answered that you have had thoughts of self-harm. Please reach out to a mental health professional or crisis service immediately.
Question 10: Functional Impairment
If you checked off any problems above, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?
This question is not scored in the total but provides important clinical context.
Your PHQ-9 Results
Severity Scale
Medical Disclaimer: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Scores are not a substitute for professional clinical evaluation. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
How to Use the PHQ-9 Depression Screening Tool
The PHQ-9 depression screening tool is a standardized, self-administered questionnaire that clinicians use to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. Developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, and Kurt Kroenke, it is one of the most widely used and validated depression screening instruments in primary care worldwide. This free online calculator walks you through all 9 questions and scores your responses instantly.
Step 1: Read the Time Frame
All PHQ-9 questions refer to the last 2 weeks. This is the standardized time frame used in the validated version of the questionnaire. As you answer each question, think honestly about how often you experienced each symptom in the past 14 days.
Step 2: Answer All 9 Questions
For each question, select one of four frequency options: Not at all (0), Several days (1), More than half the days (2), or Nearly every day (3). The scoring at the top updates in real time as you make each selection, showing you a running total and a progress indicator on the severity scale. You must answer all 9 questions to see the full results panel.
Step 3: Pay Special Attention to Question 9
Question 9 asks about thoughts of self-harm or death. If you answer anything other than "Not at all," the tool will display prominent crisis resources including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Please take this question seriously — your wellbeing matters, and help is available 24/7.
Step 4: Answer the Functional Impairment Question
Question 10 (functional impairment) asks how much your symptoms have impacted daily life — work, home, and relationships. This question is not counted in your total PHQ-9 score, but it provides important clinical context. Even a mild PHQ-9 score paired with significant functional impairment warrants clinical attention.
Step 5: Review Your Results
Once all 9 questions are answered, a results panel appears showing your total score, severity classification, a visual severity bar chart, and interpretation text. PHQ-9 scores map to five severity levels:
- 0–4: Minimal — symptoms are unlikely to be clinically significant
- 5–9: Mild — watchful waiting or follow-up may be appropriate
- 10–14: Moderate — treatment should be considered
- 15–19: Moderately Severe — active treatment with medication or psychotherapy is recommended
- 20–27: Severe — immediate evaluation and treatment is strongly recommended
What to Do With Your Score
A PHQ-9 score of 10 or above is generally considered the clinical threshold for major depression and warrants evaluation by a healthcare provider. If your score is in the moderate-to-severe range, please discuss it with a doctor, therapist, or mental health professional. The PHQ-9 score is often used to monitor treatment response over time — a decreasing score may indicate that therapy or medication is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this PHQ-9 tool free to use?
Yes, this PHQ-9 depression screening tool is completely free with no account or signup required. You can use it as many times as you need. All processing runs locally in your browser.
Is my data safe and private?
Yes, all your answers and scores are processed entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No responses, scores, or personal information are ever sent to a server or stored anywhere. When you close the page, everything is gone.
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a validated 9-item self-report screening instrument for depression. It was developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, and Kurt Kroenke. Each of the 9 items is scored 0-3 for a total of 0-27, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
What do the PHQ-9 score ranges mean?
PHQ-9 scores map to five severity levels: 0-4 is Minimal or no depression, 5-9 is Mild depression, 10-14 is Moderate depression, 15-19 is Moderately Severe depression, and 20-27 is Severe depression. A score of 10 or above is generally used as the threshold for clinical significance.
Can this tool diagnose depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool. A high score indicates that further evaluation by a qualified mental health or medical professional is warranted. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose depression and recommend appropriate treatment.
What is Question 10 about functional impairment?
Question 10 asks how much the identified problems have impacted daily functioning (work, home, relationships). It is not scored in the PHQ-9 total but provides important clinical context. Significant functional impairment alongside a high PHQ-9 score strengthens the case for further clinical evaluation.
What should I do if I score high on the PHQ-9?
If you score 10 or above, or if you answered anything other than 'Not at all' to Question 9 about self-harm thoughts, please reach out to a healthcare provider. In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
How often is the PHQ-9 used clinically?
The PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in primary care and mental health settings worldwide. It is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for depression screening in adults, and is used to track treatment response over time.